Plastic Waste Emergency: This Solution Deemed Most Realistic in Indonesia

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The problem of plastic waste in Indonesia is becoming increasingly urgent and requires solutions from upstream. The reuse system is said to be the key to curbing the crisis that continues to grow. Rising prices also provide momentum to reduce plastic usage. The Alliance Zero Waste Indonesia (AZWI) together with the Indonesian Reuse Association (AGUNI) is pushing for the implementation of a cross-sector reuse system, from food and beverages to retail. This business model is considered proven to be operable in Indonesia. In addition to reducing plastic waste, the reuse system also opens up new economic opportunities. This scheme is deemed capable of encouraging business collaborations and changing societal consumption patterns to be more sustainable. Strengthening infrastructure is a key factor, from standardising containers, return systems, to regulatory support. Without that, reuse implementation will be difficult to develop on a massive scale. “Reuse is very realistic to implement in Indonesia. We are familiar with the use of lunch boxes or tumblers. Unfortunately, for products used on a wide scale, only drinking water gallons and cooking gas cylinders apply reuse. Actually, many products can implement this reuse system,” said AGUNI Founding Member Zulfikar last weekend. Zulfikar mentioned that global reuse standards, including cleaning and packaging, are currently being drafted. Various organisations are also starting to form to accelerate implementation at the industrial level. “We are waiting for which producer dares to lead the change in production and consumption patterns that apply a true circular economy first,” he said.